Translating and selecting system.



E. C. MOLINA.

TRANSLATING AND SELECTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 20. 1906.

Patented Jan. 6, 1914,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Primary b'elecor,

Secondary .Ffnal Selector:

E. O. MOLINA.

TBANSLAIING AND SELECTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION nun APB. 20. 1906.

1,083,456. Patented m 6,1914.

Register! Translator.

1914114449? H L L W W E. G. MOLINA.

TBANSLATING AND SELECTING SYSTEM. 7

APPLICATION TILED APE.20, 1906. V

vPatented J an. 6, 191% Thousands 7:

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I r T314511 m EDWARD C. MOLINA, 015 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN TELE- PHONE AND TELEGRAPH. COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK."

TRANSLATING AND SELECTING SY STEH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 6, ram.

Application filed April 20, 1906. Serial no. 312,858.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD C. MOLINA, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements imTranslating and Selecting Systems, of which the following is a specification. V

This invention'relates to the selection of electrical circuits inyolvinga change from one system of designating or grouping said circuits or associated apparatus to some different system It is more particularly applicable to the mechanical selection of such lines as those employed in telephonic transmission.

The symbols used to'identify telephonelines, whether they be those connecting substations with a central station or trunks extending between said central stations or incation of circuits or apparatus, their group-' ing in tensor powers of ten does not always secure the most eifective or economical ar-. rangement. For example, considering telephone-lines, and associated means at a central station for mechanically. connecting them with one another, inaccordance with the calls of subscribers, by means of machines possessing a greater number of fixed terminals, say, than one hundred, but less than one thousand. this next decimal group not being feasible in practice, larger groups of trunks may be appropriated to the use of a definite number of subscribers than if a hundred-point machine were employed. On account of such greater trunk-groups which it is possible to use with the larger machines the'eficiency of the machines themselves is. increased. This follows because the greater the trunk-groups the greater the efliciency per trunk, since the number of simultaneous calls from a fixed group of subscribers during a given timeinterval increases in a decreasing ratio as the size of-the grou of subscribers is increased, Obviously 121118 is true, since there may be, for example, one call from a groupof one hundred subscrib ers in any interval, yet from a group of three hundred subscribersbut two and a.

fraction calls might fall in the same interval. Therefore it may become desirable to employ such connecting mechanisms having more than one hundred and less than one this question of numerical arrangement.

This merely gives an instance of certain con- ;ditions which this invention is adapted to meet, its principal object being the more genera} one of providing for the alteration of electrical conditions which may be represented by some numerical grouping, into conditions expressible by another numerical arrangement, or what may be termed their translation. 7

The invention therefore consists in a system for thus translating electrical conditions and for making use thereof in the selection of circuits such as telephone lines.

In-the form of the'invention which I have chosen to here illustrate and describe, this change of condition takes place in electrical impulses which are transmitted.

In the accompanying drawings is shown a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of this improved translating system, adapted for use in connection with telephone-lines, though it is to be understood that this is but one of its possible applications. The figures of the drawings show successive portions of the system, Figure 1 illustrating the starting apparatus; Fig. 2 the translating apparatus; and Fig. 3 the selecting apparatus.

The more essential features of the organization comprise a starter or transmitting apparatus designated as a'whole by A, by

rwhich a, seriesof initial impulses of electrrcity may be sent in accordance with'the original numerical grouping; a translator :B, by which the impulses are rearranged in accordance with the new grouping, and a 'selectingapparatus- C, which, .while having a portion ofits constituent parts based upon the translated grouping, will finally connect itself, with terminals designated by the original system of numbering. Y

pt instance a casehas been n which it is desired to deal with original fumbers'uponthe decimal system up. te thousand, and that the aggregate decimali-rjgroup of ten thousand is to be translated into twenty primary groups of five hundred each. Then, since this also destroys the decimal relation of the hundreds of the primary groups, it becomes relation of the-tens and units has an electro-mechanical switch, these be ing lettered S S S and S", which may be of any convenient type. Each switch is here shown conventionally as being provided with a shaft 8, a wiper or-contact-arm s and ten fixed contacts or terminals 8 It should be noted that these contacts 8 in the tens-section are separated by ten times reater an- .gular distance than are those 0 the other sections; a portion of them, however, being omitted. The switch S5 is also shown as provided with an oil-normal contact '3 which is closed by appropriate mechanism when the contact-arm is in other than-"its" initial position. The sh ft and contact-arm of each switch is rotate in operation by a pawl s pivoted upon an armature s and cooperating with a ratchet-wheel. 8 fast upon the shaft. The armatures are actuated by motor-magnets, these magnets being designated by the characters M M M and M in the thousands, hundreds, tens and units sections, respectively. Each contact-arm is. in its zero position byv a the shaft and to a mine but is temporarily we; the position to which, idrisiad normally held spring a secured to tively fixed point, tained in vanced by the motor-mechanism by means of a pawl 3 carried by the armature vstint one of four holding-magnets m m m? and m. The contacts 8 are each electricallyconnected with a series otstarting' members furnished by tenlreys K, each of these keys having a double "contact'and being designated by the digit it represents The keys may beof a'form well known in the art, in which springs hold their contactsnormally open, any'of the keysf'being 'tem-' porarilyretained in its depressed position by some such device as a spring-pressed bar In common to the keysbt each series.

magnet k cooperates with each bar and when energized moves it suficien'tly to release any depressed key.- llncluded in the starting sections A?, A A and A are controlling-relays R E, R and R, respectively, while' the. holding-magnets of .thesections A, A and A also act as relays,

they respectively operating contact-controlling armatures 1*, r and 1'. As an adjunct to the units section A, is a somewhat slug:

noeaata gish' disconnecting or releasing relay lit having in circuit with its winding a signallamp 1. 1

Associated with the system is a battery or other source of electrical energy grounded or connected to a common return-conduc-. tor, in circuit with which is an interrupter of any desired periodic type by which impulses of current may be produced. Though the battery and interrupter would in practice usually! in a manner well understood be common to the entire organism tion, for convenience in following the circuits a plurality of each has beenrillustrated and-will be hereinafter designated by different characters.

In conformity with the lan r regroup- .hundreds sections of the starter A are directly connected with the translator B by conductors 19, 26, 38 and 45 Saidtranslator comprises a register or receiving portion B upon which the original impulses are impressed and primary and secondary sending "er transmitting portions B and B by whichthe re-arranged impulses are forwarded to the selector. The register includes a switch S which may be similar in structure to those of the starter,' but its shaft 8 carries two ratchet wheels e and 8 of diderent diameter and having teeth didering in pitch, which are engaged by pawls carried by the armatures of a pri- -'mary or thousands motor-magnet M and a secondary or hundreds motor-magnet M.

wheels 8 and s and the strokes of the cotiperatin pawls is such that the angle of r'btation o the switch-shaft due to a single @niovement of the former is ten-times that resulting from a corresponding movement iot the latter; A holding-magnet m operw ates throughits armature and pawl upon the ratchet-wheel a as inthe, starting switches.

Fired to the shaft s and insulated therefrom are primary and secondary contactarms s and 8M operating over circumferentially-arranged series of fixed contacts or terminals a and a, respectively. There are twenty of these fixed contacts in the primary seriesand one hundred in thesechere omitted, the former a, presentin five times the lengthpt c ntact-surface o the latter, and all being insulated from one an other. The contacts a are multi led together in twenty sets or five each y conductors l2. It will be seen that the twenty primary contacts thus corr' end in numer to the groups of five huu red units contained in ten t tacts in'each oil the twenty sets of multipled secondary. contacts agree, respectively, with The. ratio oi the dimensions of the ratchet'-' ondary series though a portion of each are ousand, whilejthe' five con-.

ing previously mentioned, thethiiusands and p lllli the five sub-groups 0r onehundred-units in 13 use he in such each of the twenty chief. groups. Now, since each consecutive five ofthe-secondary contacts equals in effective extent one of the primary contacts, and assuming the contact arms 8 and s to lie in the same plane, it will beseen that no matter upon which of the twenty primary contacts the arm 8 is situated, by the same amount ofangular movement the arm s may be brought to rest upon a secondary contact which, by its multipling, may be subjected to the same circuit conditions. The utility of this will appear later.

Proceeding now to the sending or transmitting portion of the translator, the primaryand secondary apparatus have switches S and S respectively, of substantially the same character as those of the starter A. These switches S S are actuated and looked through such ratchet mechanism as has been previously described, having motor-magnets M] and M and holding-magnets m and m respectively. The fixed contacts or terminals of these switches correspond in number to the translated groups and sub-groups which they represent; that is, the primary switch S has twenty contacts 8" which are connected consecutively by conductors 18 to the twenty primary register-contacts 3 and the secondary switch S is provided with five fixed contacts 3 similarly connected by conductors 12 with the conductors 12 which multiple the secondary register-contacts 8 into successive groups of five each. In connection with each of the switches S and SP is shown an ofi-normal contact device 8 of the same character as that of the switch S each being associated with two relays R and R" and R and R respectively.

From the sending apparatus of the translator and from the tens and units sections of the starter main conductors L and L and a disconnecting or release-conductor L lead to the selecting apparatus C. As here illustrated, these conductors pass through a connecting key K organized to associate the transmitting portion of the system, both in the starter and translator, with any one of a plurality of selectors, as might be the case in practice. Though this key K has, in the diagrammatic illustration, the appearance of being situated at a considerable distance from the starter, it would in actual roximity to the starting-keys that all could he readily manipulated by a single operator. The selecting apparatus C in the present instance comprises a primary section G a secondary section C and a final or connecting section C; these respectively correspond to the primary and secondary translated grouping and the original tens and units groups. An appropriate arrangement of selecting apparatus would consist of one primary selector for each starter and translator, this being connected with a plurality of selectors, which in turn would be joined to the final selectors, the. number of the secondary and final apparatus dependin upon the grouping of the fixed termina s and upon traflic conditions. Selectors adapted for this purpose. are well known, and there has been here shown in each section a switch similar in form and mode of operation to those of the starter and translator. They, therefore, need not particularly be described. Each of these primary, secondary and final switches designated as S S and S respectively, "and of which but one each is here illustrated, in cludes a shaft 8 carrying insulated main contact-arms s and s and a test contactarm 8. Ratchet mechanism serves to propel and retain the shafts thisbeing operated by motor-magnets M, M and M and holding-magnets m, m, and m. An 0& normal contact device 8 is controlled by each switch, that of the switch S having a double make and break, while the other two are single. The arms 8 s and 8, operate over fixed contacts or terminals 8 From these terminals in the primary section, conductors 62, 69 and 78 lead to the proper selector in the secondary section. For the concrete case we have taken, each set of terminals of the switch S would correspond to one of the new or non-decimal groups of five hundred, and those of the switch S3 to some one of the hundreds of said group.

The terminals of the secondary section are connected by conductors 81, 88 and 10% to selectors 1n the final section, the terminals of which are joined by conductors 16 to the instruments with which connection is to be made. Associated with the switches S S and SP are relays R R and R ,'re- 'Spectively; while the holding-magnets m .m and m also operate as relays by means of contact-controlling springs 7 ,7" and r movable with their armatures.

In circuit with the contact of the connect- 119 ing key with which is associated the disconnecting conductor L and with the holdingmagnet m of the primary selector, is a normally-closed disconnecting or releasingkey K The circuits forming a part of thesystem will now be traced, and reference made to certain minor members not previously de scribed,'the connecting elements ofthe system, other than those joining the main 12c groups of apparatus and certain internal conductors which are of especial importance, having to avoid confusion been omitted.

At the same time a detailed statement of'the operation of the entire organization will be given. For the latter purpose it may be assumed that the translating system is a portion of the equipment of a central station in a tele hone exchange, the keys of the starter being under the control of an operator, and the lines 16 leading to substations which are to be connected with other. substations through apparatus not shown,csince Let it be supposed, for example, that the subscribers number commun ed to the operator is,

as usual, upon the *cimal system and is 1211. It will be Skit that while the thousands digit falls withi the first decimal group and the hundreds u *it in the second decimal group, the previously indicated rearrangement into primary groups of' rfive hundreds rather than thousands will destroy such relation. Instead, considering the hundreds, which must now be taken since the primary ,group is less than one thousand, 1200 comes in the third of said primary groups, which three would aggregate 1500; then, as the number selected is greater that 1200, its hundreds belong to the third secondary group in the third primary group. The tens and units remainvupon the original decimal basis, therefore the function of this particular system is to translate the impulses transmitted through the keys K in groups of tenths or ten thousand and tenths of thousands into groups of twentieths of ten thousand and fifths of the resulting five hundreds.

Upon receiving the number 1211 of the called subscriber, the operaton c loses the connecting key K and successively depresses the keys K K and Khand K of the sections A A A and A respectively, of the starter A. These keys are held. in

their depressed position by the bars 70. The

thousands key grounds the corresponding terminals through a conductor 11 and a conductor 17 common to all the thousands keys, and also operates the holding-magnets m and m of the starting section A and the translating-register by current .from battery 6 over conductors 18, 19, 20 and 17, and from battery I) over conductors 19, 20 and 17 to ground. The energization of the magnet m closes a circuit from ground through conductor 22, contact and armature r of the magnet m conductor 23, back contact and armature 24; of relay R conductor 25, winding of the thousands starter motormagnet M conductor 26, winding of the primary motor-magnet M of the register and conductor 27 to the interrupter I andbattery I). The closing of this circuit will cause the contact-arms of the thousands section of the starter and the register to be driven forward simultaneously by the ratchet mechanism. Each impulse which passes through the magnet M advances the arm of the switch S from one fixed contact to thenext; while each impulse through the magnet M of the register causes-its arms 8 and s to move over two of the contacts 3 and ten of the contacts 8 The arrival noeaaae of the thousands arm 8 on the contact grounded by the key K operates the relay R over a circuit including the battery b conductors 28 and 29, arm 3 of the switch S and conductors 11 and 17 to ground, thereby opening the contact of its armature 24: and breaking the circuit of the motor-magnets-M M This stops the advance of the switches S and S The operation of the armature 30 of the relay R closes a circuit from ground through the contacts of the depressed hundreds key K and including conductors 22, 31, '32 and 33 and the winding of the hundreds holding-magnet m to the battery 6 The consequent energization of the magnet m completes a circuit from ground through conductor 84:, the armature contact r conductor 35, back contact and armature 36 of the relay It, conductor 37, Winding of the hundreds motor-magnet M conductor 38, winding of the secondary motor-magnet M of the register, conductors 39 and 27 to the interrupter I and battery 6; and the completion of this'circuit will result in the arms of the switches S and S being driven for ward simultaneously. Each impulse passing through the motor-magnet M moves the arm of the hundreds switch S from one contact to the next, and likewise each impulse passing through the secondary motor-magnet M ofthe register drives its arms from contact to contact 8 The operation of the relay R in conjunction with the depressed hundreds key K in section A, in addition to closing the circuit of the motor-magnets just mentioned, has also established a ground at the third contact of the hundreds switch S through the conductor 22, armature contact 30 and conductors 31,- 32 and 40. The arrival of the hundreds contact-arm on this grounded contact operates relay R from the battery 6 through conductors 4:1 and 42 and the path just indicated to ground, thereby opening the back contact of its armature 36, and breaking the circuit of the hundreds motor-magnet M" of the starter and the secondary motor-magnet M of the translating register ,The movement of the switches S and S therefore ceases. The depression of the thousands key K has causedone impulse to pass through the primarymotor-magnet of the register. The depression of the hundreds key K sent two impulses through the secondary motor-magnet of the register. Therefore, since each impulse through the primary motor-magnet drives the register over two contacts 8 at a time, while each impulse of the secondary motor magnet advances the arms overone contact s at a time, the arm .9 of the register will have come to rest on the third contact .9 while the arm 3 will be upon the thirteenth contact s, which corresponds to the particular hundred, 12, contained in the desired numher, since the first sub-group is the zero group, it embracing the units irozrnfl to 99. A ground connection is made with the register arms by a conductor 48, so that the arm a grounds the third contact 8 of the primary sender-switch S through one of the conductors 13, while the arm a? grounds the third contact a of the secondary senderswitch S through the multiple conductor 12 and the conductor 12*. As has been pointed out, it is in both the third group and subgroup of translated numbers that the hundreds of 1211 belong.

When the connecting-key K was operated, its contact 43 closed the circuit of the primary selector holding-magnet m from ground through conductors 44 and 45 to bat tery b energizing said magnet. The operation of the re'lay R, in addition to opening the contact of its armature 86, closed a circuit from ground through the conductor-34, the contact of its-armature 44', conductor 45, and the Windingof the primary holding-magnet m" to battery 7;". The energize.- tion of this holding magnet closes a circuit from ground through the winding of the primary selector motor-magnet M, conductor 46 back contact and armature 47 of the rela it", contact 48 of the connecting-key, con uctors L and 49, contact and armature 50 of the primary holding-magnet on, back contact and armature 51 of the relay R, conductor '52 and winding of the primary motorqnagne't M to the interrupter I and battery I)". The arm of the switch S and arms of the switch 55 will now be driven forward simultaneously. When the arm of the former arrives at the contact 8" connect-v ed to the third contact 8 of the register B a circuit is closed from ground through con ductor 43, the arm 8, conductor 13} arm of switch S,- conductor"53 and winding of relay R to the battery 7). The energization of this relay 0 ens the contact of its armature 51 and brea s the circuit of the motor-magnets of the primary sender and primary selector. It will be evident that the operation f the switch S has allowed but three impulses to pass through the primary selector motor-magnet, so that the arms of the primary selector will have been brought to rest on the contacts corresponding to the third primary translated oup of numbers. The -arrival of the arm o the switch S? on the grounded contact, in addition to closing a circuit from and to the battery 6'' through the win in of the'relay Rh also completed acircuit in ground through the arm of the switch S, off-normal contact 8 of the switch S", conductor 54, hack contact and. armature '55 oi the relay IF", conductors 56 and I), contact '57 of the connecting-key K, conductor 58, back contact and spring 59 of relay R, the. winding of said relay, W conductor'iifi, rid-normal contact a" of the primary selector and contact and spring r to the batterp b. The resulting operation of the relay R of the primary selector disconnects its winding from the conductor L and connects it to ground in series with the winding of the secondary selector holdingmagnet m through the conductor 61, holding-ma e't m conductor 62, arm 8 of the switch armature 63 of relay R winding of said relay, conductor 60, oii-normal contact s of the primary selector and contact rto battery 6.

The previous operations have broughtthe arms of the primary selector upon the fixed contacts corresponding to the third translated primary group. The next step is to advance the. arms of thesecondary selector representing the third primary group to its contacts corresponding to the third translated secondary group. The operation of the relay R has closed a circuit from ground through its armature and front stop 64, conductor 65, the winding of the relay 1?", conductor 66, and winding of the holding-magnet m of the secondary sender to battery 6 The actuation of the relay R disconnects at its armature 55 the conductor L from the ground established by the offnormal contact and arm of the switch S and closes a circuit from ground through the winding of the secondary selector motormagnet M conductor 67, back contact and armature 68 of the relay R conductor 69, arm 8 of the primary selector, front contact and armature 47 of the relay R", contact 48 of the connecting-key, conductors L and 70, armature and front contact 71 of the relay R", conductor 72, back contact and armature 73 of the relay R conductor 74, and winding of the motor-magnet M to the interrupter I and battery h The contact .arms of the switches S and S of the sender .and seconda selector will now be driven forward sync ronously. When the arm of the switch 5 reaches its third contact 8 which is connected with the third contact 8" :0f the third multipled group of the register, a circuit 'is completed from ground through 'ithe conductor 43, arm a, conductors '12 and 12*, arm of switch 8' and winding of relay it to battery I). The operation of this reday R opens the contact of its armature 73 and breaks the circuit of-the motor-magnets pf the secondary sender and the secondary selector. Three impulses have now passed through the secondary selector motor-magmet M so that the arms of its switch S come to rest on the contacts corresponding to the third sub-group of the third primary groupof numbers. In addition to the effects just noted, the arm'of the switch S has also closed a circuit from ground through the oil'- norhial contact of the switch S, conductor, 75 back contact and armature 76 of the relay R, conductor L, contact 57 of the till connecting-key K front contact and arma-' selector holding-magnet m through conductor 81, arm 8 of the secondary selector,-

armature 82 andspring 79 of the rela R winding oi said relay, conductor 80, 0 -normal contact of the secondary selector and contact and spring 7* of magnet m to battery 6 The selection by means of the translated impulses has now been accomplished and there only remains the advancing of the arms of the final, selector which has been picked out by the secondary selector to its fined contacts connected with the line numbered 1211. The operation of the relay B has previously completed a circuit from ground through its front contact and armature 83, conductor 84:, contacts of the depressed tens key K at the section A of the starter, conductor 84, winding of the holding-magnet m condu :tor 85, and" winding of the relay R to battery 5 The energization of the relay R disconnects at its armature 76 the conductor L from the 0dnormal contact a of the switch S and closes a circuit from ground through the winding of the final selector motor-magnet M conductor 86, back contact and armature 81' of the relay R conductor 88, arm s ol the secondary selector, front contact and armature 68 of the relay R conductor 69, arm a of the primary selector, front contact and armature l? of the relay lit", contact dd of the connecting-key K,-conductors 1L and 89,1tront contact and armature 90 oi the relay R conductor 91, back contact and armature 92 of the relay 1%", conductor 93 and winding ofthe motor-magnet M to the interrupter land battery 6 The closing of this circuit will advance the arm of the switch S and the arms of the final selector simultaneously until the arm of said switch reaches the contact corresponding to the depressed tens lrey lit. Then a circuit is closed from the battery I), through the winding of the relay R arm 01 the switch conductor 9 1, tens key it, conductor 8 1, lront contact and armature 83 of the relay R to ground. lhe passage of current through this circuit actuates the relay R, which in turn disconnects the motor-magnet M* or the tens starting-section from the condnctor ill at the armature 92, and completes a circuit from ground through conductor 95, the depressed units lrey K or the section A,

' tact and spring noeaaae conductor 96, front contact and armature 97 of the relay R conductor 08, and the winding of the holding-magnet m otthe units section to battery I).

The operation of the magnet m closes a circuit from the battery 6 through the interrupterl, the Winding of the motor-magnet M", conductor 99, back contact and armature 100 of the relay R front contact and armature 1' of the holding-magnet m conductor L, contact 48 of the connectingkey K front contact and armature 47 of the relay R", arm 8 ot the primary selector, conductor 69, front contact and armature 68 of the relay R arm 8 of the secondary selector, conductor 88, back contact and armature 87 of'the relay R conductor 86 and winding of the motor-magnet M of the final selector to ground. The arms of the final selector will now continue to move forward synchronously with the arm of the switch S. When the arm of said switch arrives at its contact grounded by the units key K the relay R is energized by current fromv batter 5 through the winding of said, relay h conductor 101, arm of the switch S, and conductors 102- and 95 to ground and breaks the circuits of the motor-magnets M and lid at the armature contact 100. @n account olr' the space between the contacts 8 in the tens starting section, ten steps are necessary to ettect this, and therefore the final selector arms now rest uponithe tenth set of active contacts The arm of the switch S also closes a circuit from ground through the ofi-normal contact 8 of the switch S conductor L contact 57 of the connecting key, front contact and armature '17 oil the relay R", arm .9 of the primary selector, conductor 7 8, front contact and armature 103 of the relay R arm s of the secondary selector, conductor 104i, contact and spring 105 or the relay R winding of said relay, conductor 100, 0dnormal contact of the final selector and conr of the holding-magnet m of the final selector to battery 5 The relay lit disconnects its winding from the conductor L and connects it to ground at the selected substation, the circuit being through the line conductor 10, arm 8 of the final selector, armature 107 and spring 105 of the relay R winding of said relay, conductor 106, oflf-normal contact oi" the final selector and spring r of the magnet m to the battery I). 'llhe front contacts of the air-matures 87 and 108 oi? the relay R close the circuits from the selected points through conductors 88 and 104:, the secondary and primary selectors and connect ing-key ll. completing the operation.

The relay It? when energised closed a circuitttrom ground through its armature 109, conductor 110, contact and spring 111 of the disconnecting relay lit, winding or" said renosasaa lay, the lamp 1, conductor L, the contact 43 of the connecting key to battery 6 The relay R upon actuation locks itself by a circuit from ground through its armature 112, spring 111 and its winding to the battery b as ]1lSt described. The lamp 1 inseries with the relay R is illuminated, notitying the operator that the starting apparatus has completed its operation. The re lay R also attracts its armature 113 sending a momentary impulse from battery 5 through said armature, spring 114, and conductors 115 to the magnets 70 of all the sets of transmitting keys K of the starter, thus releasing them. The opemn of the starting circuits in turn releases t e holdlug-magnets m m m and m allowing the springs of the switches toeact and restoring the starter to its normal condition.

The operator upon observing the lighting of the lamp 1 may throw the connecting key K, which will put out the lamp and release the relay. R. The selecting apparatus will, however, be held against release by current through the holding-magnet m of its primary section; this passing from the positive pole of the battery 5 through the winding of the magnet m conductor 45, disconnecting-key K conductor 116, second-s'pring 117 of the oil-normal contact of the switch S and spring r of the holdingmagnet m back to the negative pole of the battery. When the path through the se-.

lecting apparatus to the selected terminals is no longer required the selectors ma be released by opening this auxiliary hol ingcircuit at the disconnecting-key, whereupon the holding-magnets of the selectors successively withdraw their pawls and the switches S S and S are returned to zero by their springs. I

To summarize the operation of the system, it may be said that the depression of the keys of the starter representing the digits of the numeral designating the line to be selected establishes a series of impulses grouped in accordance with whatever origi-.

nal system may be employed, usually the decimal. All these impulses ultimately affeet the selecting apparatus, but those groups which are to act in accordance with new grouping are received'by the register of the translator. This register, by the number, relative length of contact surface and manner of connection of its contact members causes impulses to pass from the sender in a translated or regrouped condition to the proper sections of the selecting apparatus, terminals of which are disposed in accordance with the new grouping. In this selecting apparatus both the translated and untranslated impulses operate to successively advance the contact arrrs to the desired terminals, the final section "securing connection with those corresponding to the number represented by the starting-keys which have been depressed. After the starter and translator have impressed all the impulses upon the selector their movable elements are restored to their initial position, and when the use of the connected lines is completed the movable members of the selector are also returned to their normal places.

From what has been said itis believed that the great gain in flexibility of a con necting system through the translation of itsnumerical grouping will be obvious, but it is desired to particularly note, as exemplifying the extent to which advantages accrue, that by proper rearrangement of the terminals of the translator and the selecting apparatus the secondary-section of the lat ter may be entirely eliminated, leaving only the primary and final sections. The economy of this will be manifest.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. A translating system comprising means for transmitting electrical impulses in a predetermined group or groups, and mechanical means for receiving and again transmit ting impulses in a definite number of groups having a difierent relation from those originally transmitted.

2. The combination with apparatus for effectingthe selection of electrical terminals, of means for transmitting groups of electrical impulses, and ireans for receiving and translating the impulses into different groups which pass to the selecting apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

. 3. The combination with means for transmitting predetermined groups of electrical impulses, of selecting apparatus comprising a section provided with terminals arranged.

ance with the new grouping of the selectv ing apparatus.

4. in a telephone system, the combination with means for transmitting predetermined groups ofelectrical impulses, of selecting apparatus comprising a section provided with line-terminals designated by numbers having the same numerical relation as the groups of impulses and .a section having terminals arranged upon another grouping, and means-between the transmitting and selecting apparatus for translating aportion of the impulses sent out by the transmitting means in accordance with the new grouping of the selecting apparatus, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. An apparatus for translating electrical conditions comprising a series of registercontacts, a series otsending-contacts connected therewith, a movable contact membercotiperating with each series of contacts, and motor mechanism for advancing the movable metr. hers.

6. An apparatus fortranslatingelectrical conditions comprising a'primary series of contacts, a secondary series of contacts connected in multiple a companion series of contacts corresponding to each of the primary and secondary series, connections between each contact of the primary series and each multiple group of contacts of the secondary series and a contact of its companion group, and a movable contact member cooperating with each series of contacts.

7. An apparatus for translating electrical conditions comprising a series of registercontacts, a series of sending contacts successively connected with the register-contacts, a second series of register contacts multipled together in groups, a corresponding series of sending-contacts connected with the multiple "groups, a movable contact member cooperating with each set of contacts, and motor mechanism for advancing the uovable members. 7

8. An apparatus tor translating electrical conditions comprising a series of registercontacts, a series ot sending-contacts successively connected with the register-contacts,

asecond series of register-contacts multipled together in groups, each of said groups being equal in length of combined contact surface to one of the first-named contacts, a corresponding series of sending contacts connected with the multiple groups, a movable contact member cotiperating with each set of contacts, and motor-mechanism for advancing the movable members, substantially as specified,

9. apparatus tor translating electrical conditions comprising a series of registerconta'cts, a series of sending-contacts successively connected with the register-contacts, a'second series of register-contacts multipled together in groups, each of said groups locing equal in length of combined contact sur face to one of the first-named contacts, a

Vcorresponding series ct sending-contacts connected with the multiple groups, a movable contact member cooperating with each set ct contacts, and a plurality of motor mechanisms tor advancing the movable members. v

10. The combination with a source of electrical impulses, ot a starting-switch, and an impulse-translator comprising a switch provided with register contacts and with motor mechanism in circuit with the startingswitch, and a sending-switch having motor mechanism also in circuit with the startingswitch and provided with contacts connected with the register-contacts;

ii, The combination with a source of elecnoaaeee trical impulses, of a plurality of starting switches operable successively, an impulse translator comprising a switch provided with a plurality of register contacts and withqnotor mechanism in circuit with one or more of, the starting switches, and a sending apparatus having switch sections corre-. sponding to one or more of the starting 12. The combination with a plurality 0t starting-switches having motor mechanism and a series of contacts for controlling the .motor mechanism, said series of contacts hearing some definite numerical relation to one another, of a translator comprising a switch provided with motor-mechanism controlled in the contacts of the startingswitches and a series of contacts corresponding to certain of the starting-switches but arranged in groups diflering from those of saidstarting-switches.

13. The combination with a source of electrial impulses, of a starter comprising a plurality of switches each having motor mechanism and a series of contacts tor controlling the motor mechanism, said series of contacts hearing some definite numerical relation to one another, an impulse-translator comprising a receiving-switch provided with motor mechanism controlled in the contacts of the starting-switches, and a series oi mg ister-contacts corresponding to certain of the starting-switches but arranged in groups difiering from those of said starting-- switches, and a sending switch for each series of register-contacts, each of said sending-switches having motor mechanism in circuit with that oi a receiving-switch and also having series of contacts to which the groups ot-register-c ontacts are connected, suhstam tially as set "forth 1d. The combination with a starting switch, ot a translator comprising a switch prov1ded with motor mechanism controlled .liltl tacts and with motor mechanism in circuit with one or more of the starting switches,

and sending apparatus having switch sec-' tions corresponding to one or more of the lac starting switches and provided with motor mechanism incircuit with said "starting.

switches, each of the sending switches having a series of contacts connected with one of the series of register contacts, and a se-' lector comprising switches provided withmotor mechanisms, a portion of which are controlled in the contacts of the sending switches and a portion in the contacts of the starting switches, substantially as described.

16. An electrical translating apparatus comprising a switch having primary contacts corresponding to groups of units and secondary contacts connected in sets corresponding to the main groups, the members of each'set corresponding to sub-groups of the main groups, and switches each provided v with a series of contacts connected respectively to the primary contacts and sets of secondary contacts.

17. An apparatus for translating electrical conditions comprising starting means,

a series of register contacts, a series of send- -ing contacts connected therewith, and mechanically advanced contact members 00- operating with the said register and sending contacts, the movement of certain of sea contact members being controlled by thej starting means.

18. In an'app'aratus for electrical selection, the combination of meansitorproduc-'v ing grouped electrical impulses,-means operated in accordance with said impulses-for;

establishing diiierently grouped impulses in accordance with a predetermined system,

and selecting means operated in accordance with said last named impulses.

. trolled by the starting members for effecting- 19. An electrical system forselecting terminals comprising an apparatus having starting members corresponding to groups of some numerlcal system, and means conselection of terminals in accordance with a numerical grouping difierent from that first named.

20aAwtranslating' system comprising means for transmitting electrical impulses in a predetermined group or'groups, and means for receiving and again transmitting impulses in one or more predetermined regrouped conditions.

-21. The combination with apparatus for effecting electrical selection, of starting mea g or estahlts hgng el%tricai conditions '-""*'35"iii accordance with some numerical group'- ing', and means controlled bythe' starting apparatus therefor which may be set manually, and means forming-a part of the controlling apparatus for translatin the condition registered thereon into a different the setting into a different electrical condition' whereby selection is effected.

24. A telephone exchange comprising a central station, substations designated in accordance with some definite system, telephone lines connecting the substations and central station, mechanical selecting apparatus to which said lines are connected, and means for effecting line selection in accordance-with some difierent system than that by which the lines are designated.

' 25. Controlling apparatus for electrical line selecting apparatus comprising manually operable registering devices including means adapted to govern the operation of secondary mechanism, secondary mechanism for registering the conditions produced at the manual devices, and transmitting means I operable in accordance with such registration.

26. A controlling apparatus for telephone line selecting apparatus comprising key mechanism upon which a line designation may be registered, automatic registering mechanism operable in accordance with the hue designation registered upon the .key mechanism, and transmitting means operable in accordance with the registration of the automatic mechanism.

27. A controlling apparatus for telephone line selecting apparatus comprising key,

mechanism upon which a line designation may be registered to produce certain electrical conditions, automatic registering mechanism governed bythe keys andbeing adapted to produce similar'electrical conditions, and transmitting means operable in accordance with the registration of the automatic mechanism.

28. A controlling apparatus for telephone line selecting apparatus comprising key mechanism, primary transmitting mechanism controlled by the key-mechanism, registel'lng ia. lsmgoverned by the primary transmitting mechanism, and secondary transmitting mechanism under the influence of the registering mechanism, substantially as described. I

29. The combination with a starting switch, of key mechanism for determining the movement of the starting switch, a register switch movable with the starting switch,

and a sending switch the travel of which is limited'by the position of the register switch.

36. The combination with starting switches, of key mechanism for determining the movement of the startino' switches. 55

to point determined by .to mechanism having termm register switch of motor mechanisms any one of which may be connected with the starting switcheaand a sending switch governed by the register 5 switch.

31. A controlling apparatus tor telephone.

line selecting systems comprising manually operable means for registering line designations, automatic registerin means operable to under the influence of said manual means to establish; and register electrical conditions, and selection controlling means automatically governed'by said automatic registering means in accordance with the electri 15 cal conditions established thereat.

32. A controlling apparatus for telephone line selecting systems comprising manually operable contact devices, an electromechanism having teinals connected to said as manual contact devicesand having a contact member movable over said terminals, and an electromechanism provided with terminals, the condition of which is determined by the position of the movable member of 25 the first-named electromechanism and itsell having a movable member governed by the condition of its terminals and serving to control selection. 0

33. In a telephone switching system, the

to combination with line selecting apparatus,

of controlling apparatus therefor, manually operable registering means corresponding to a particular system of line grouping, and an electromechanism operable under the inas fiuence ot the manual means and alrranged to control selection in accordance with some other system oil line grouping I 34. In a telephone switching system, the

combination with line selecting apparatus,

to of controlling apparatus therefor, manually the on combination with line selecting apparatus,

of controlling apparatus comprising contact means representing a certain number of components oil a line designation, and means i whereby"thehclnatiorretsaidegrtact means at causes a difterent number oi selectiveepera;

tions.

36. ll, controlling apparatus comprisg a series at manually operable contact do vices having a definite gron ing, an electrocorresponding to the grouping of the manual devices and connected to said devices a movable member contacting with said termina and a second electromechanism connected to that provided with a plurality movable to a inmate first named and provided with teralS grouped difierently thereh'om and provided witha coiiperating movable contact memberllll through which the controlling function of the apparatus is exercised 37. A controlling apparatus comprising a series of manually. operable contact devices having a definite grouping, an electromechanism having terminals corresponding to the grouping of the manual devices and connected to said devices and a movable member contacting with said terminals, a second. elect-romech'auism connected to that first named and provided with terminals grouped difierentlytheretrom and with a cobperating movable contact member, and means for causing the movable member of said first named elcctromechanism to vary the condition of said second electromechanism and member. I

. 38. Controlling apparatus for electrical line selectlng systems comprising line designating devices, secondary mechanism adapted to establish andregister operative conditions produced at said devices, and selection controlling means automatically governed'by said established conditions.

39. lln apparatus for edecting selection of electric terminals, the combination oil means for initiating terminal selection in accordance with some predetermined system, and means controlled by said first-named means for continuing selection in accordance with a dild'erent predetermined system.

40. in apparatus for selecting numerically designated electric terminals, the cobination of means for initiating terminal selec tion in accordance with a predetermined system, means continuing selection on. a diderent. predetermined system, and terminal selecting means controlled by said last named means.

t1. In an automatic circuit controlling apparatus, the combination with a plurality of sets of manually operable contact devices, of automatic means tor separately registering the conditions produced at said sets cl contact devices respectively by the establishment of electrical conditions and selection controlling means automatically governed by the electrical conditions produced at the automatic registering means.

t2. A circuit controlling apparatus comprising manually operable means having- ?egiWelemeMgwuped according to a registering means adapted to assume a position determined by the registration at the mannal means, and selection controlling means governed by said automatic register means and having controlling elements grouped upon a ditlerent system. tram those oi the manual registering means.

to thus determine the travel of its movable E dll lltllt lltl lib

ltd

particular system, aummarmniymeeaan llltl matic registering means .44. In-an electrical line selecting system,

the combination of manually operable con-- tact devices; automatic contact mechanism, for registering conditions produced at the manually operable devices; and line selectautomatic contact mechanism.

45. In an electrical line selecting system, the combination of a set of keys; an automatic register switch movable under control of the keys to a position determined by an opera-ted key; and line selecting means automatlcally governed in operation by the po-- sition of said register switch.

4.6. In a telephone exchange system, the" combination with electrical apparatus adapted to determine a telephone line to be se-- lected, of starting means for establishing electrical conditions inaccordancewithsomenumerical grouping, and means controlled by said starting means for establishmgother electrical conditions upon 'a diflerent' predetermined grouping and thereby causing saidcleetrica'l apparatus to operate to determine a telephone line to be selected.

ing means automatically governed in operation by the conditions registered at said -In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification-in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this eighteenth day of April 1906. v

, EDWARD Cl MOLINA.

Witnesses:

v Gno. WILLIs Pmnos, Josnrn .A. GATELY. 

